Deba Ghoshal quits Ultra Motor as marketing head

NEW DELHI: Deba Ghoshal, the India marketing head of UK's electric two-wheeler firm Ultra Motor, has put in his papers. He is moving to a European beverage maker which is slated to enter India soon.

Ultra, which had snapped ties with Indian partner Hero Electric in April 2008, is now operating on its own and sells battery powered two-wheelers in the country.

Ultra Motor (India) managing director Ganesh Mahalingam is expected to monitor marketing activities as well. When contacted, Mr Ghoshal confirmed the development, "After three years in Ultra and starting this subsidiary from scratch, I felt it is time to leverage my experience in a different industry."

Declined to comment on the company he is joining he said, "I will be associated with the FMCG industry." But, a headhunter, who has knowledge of the development, said Mr Ghoshal is moving into a European non-alcoholic beverage firm.

This firm is in the process of entering the Indian market and Mr Ghoshal will be heading the Indian operations. The European company is likely to position itself below the cola giants Pepsi and Coca-Cola and would compete with Indian beverage firms such as Dabur.

He had quit electronics firm LG India to join Ultra Motor as the director (marketing) three years back when the Indian organisation was formed.

Ultra has now more than 160 exclusive dealers in the country spread across 17 states and 120 towns in North, South and West India. The British parent firm has committed investment of around Rs 140 crore in the next three years in product development, marketing and distribution.